Do We Teach Salvation by Faith Alone?

By Tim Hegg

Only recently did I read the position paper authored by the IAMCS, dated 1/15/2014, and entitled: “One Law, Two Sticks: A Critical Look at the Hebrew Roots Movement.” The majority of this 59 page position paper deals with denouncing the so-called “Two-House” teaching, the “Sacred Name” movement, British Israelitism, and other errant, unbiblical teachings which have found their way into the larger “Messianic movement.”

Toward the end of the document (beginning with p. 54), the authors turn their attention to what they label as “‘One Law’ Theology.” In this section, they note that First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ) did, at one time, espouse “‘One Law’ Theology” but that they came to believe such teaching to be in error and therefore changed their position. Subsequently they published an article entitled “One Law and the Messianic Gentile”¹ to explain their theological and ecclesial reasons for their theological shift.

Having outlined the change FFOZ made, and noting that as a result of this theological shift I was unable to continue writing for FFOZ and speaking at their conferences, the authors of the position paper turn their attention to me since I continue to teach that there is one Torah for both Jew and Gentile. I honestly would not be taking the time to respond if their purpose was simply to show a theological disagreement. Frankly, I welcome theological debate and dialog as I think that doing so often helps to clarify and sharpen our theological perspectives. However, in this position paper I am charged with teaching an errant gospel. This, I believe, goes to a much deeper level since the inspired words of the Apostle Paul consider those who teach an errant gospel to be accursed!

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Footnotes

1 Messiah Journal 101 (August, 2009), pp. 46–70. ↺

Tim Hegg

President / Instructor

Tim graduated from Cedarville University in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Bible, with a minor in Philosophy. He entered Northwest Baptist Seminary (Tacoma, WA) in 1973, completing his M.Div. (summa cum laude) in 1976. He completed his Th.M. (summa cum laude) in 1978, also from NWBS. His Master’s Thesis was titled: “The Abrahamic Covenant and the Covenant of Grant in the Ancient Near East”. Tim taught Biblical Hebrew and Hebrew Exegesis for three years as an adjunct faculty member at Corban University School of Ministry when the school was located in Tacoma. Corban University School of Ministry is now in Salem, OR. Tim is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature, and has contributed papers at the annual meetings of both societies. Since 1990, Tim has served as one of the Overseers at Beit Hallel in Tacoma, WA. He and his wife, Paulette, have four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.